Sun’s first day at daycare was yesterday.  During the summer, it’s called Camp.  I did my best to hide my nerves from her.  I knew she’d be fine, that in fact she’d like it.  But I couldn’t help but feel this was the first true test of a parent’s job: prepare your child to fly away from you.

I felt a lot of guilt about putting her in daycare at such a young age.  And I know many, many parents must put their babies in when they are but weeks old.  And I know I had an amazing setup for Sun’s first two years (eternally thankful to SoMo).  But this is me and my feelings of inadequacy.

The drop off went smoothly, overall, as did her first day.  I picked her up at 4:15 instead of 6pm just to make the transition easier for us all.  She did not run to me when I walked in the room.  And she was verrry quiet on the drive home.  I think she was thinking about the fun day she had.  And she yawned a lot.

My little bird! They told me she was a “delight,” that she was quiet, ate well, and took a good nap.  Not news to me.  But meaningful to hear it from a stranger that spent the day with her without us.

There will be many more nest-pushing-outs to come in Sun’s future.  And I suspect they may actually get harder.

But yesterday evening, Sun and I hugged each other a bit closer, we were happy just to be together maybe a bit more than we were Monday.

And now today, Wednesday, is one of my two days a work-week with Sun.  She’ll be at Camp only twice a week for the summer.  There’s still so much time she and I have to frolic and live and love together.